NZ Fisher Issue 12

f sher ISSUE 12 September 2011

NZFisher

– One year old!

Magnificent Squid – International secrets shared Landbased from the boat – Its becoming a habit!

Great Barrier Is – Better late than never The Waitemata – Auckland’s overlooked Jewel www.nzfisher.co.nz 1

CONTENTS Pg 6 SPORTFISHING 4

Landbased from a boat

SQIDFISHING 6

Egi and Ika: an introduction

to modern squid fishing

FISHINGSPOTS

12

12

The Waitemata Harbour

and Hauraki Gulf

The count-down of my top five inshore

locations: Number four

KAYAKFISHING

4

2 www.nzfisher.co.nz

18

Last Minute Decision

Great Barrier on a whim

19

Fishing Video of the Month

2o

Regional Reports

Pg 20

editorial

//From the

EDITOR I have a love hate relationship

Aqua-culture that will exclude

boring read – thanks guys and girls!

with fisheries politics. I love the fact

amateurs and further pollute our

I’m always stoked by the positive,

that we live in a country that allows

harbours, and as of 24th September

encouraging feedback we get every

us to voice our opinions as loudly

dropped the amateur bag limit for

month. I’m glad you enjoy what we

as we want, but I hate the fact that

Bluenose by 75% but commercial –

put out there for you and look forward

our voices are still largely ignored.

who catch the lions share of them, by

to bringing you more of what you love!

The fact is, we have a pretty robust

about 20%. This is another example

It’s exciting times!

fisheries management system in

of the Minister making decisions

NZ. The QMS is lauded as a world

to appease, not actually manage a

Happy Fishing!

leading fisheries management tool,

fishery. I guess the next question is

Derrick

probably rightly. It just doesn’t

though; Who would do any better? I

work for recreational fishers and the

welcome any comment from readers

Government knows that.

as we begin to contact politicians & get their read Fisheries Policies for

There are great things happening

the political term.

on different fronts in rec fishing

ABOUT / Short and sharp, NZ Fisher is a free e-magazine delivering thought provoking and enlightening articles, and industry news and information to forward-thinking fisher people.

circles, no guessing which way we’ll

Thankfully we do have some fish in

see things fall. We need a voice

the sea and we’re not far away from

and need some unity to deliver the

the bonanza that is spring fishing

important messages. Regardless

in most of our inshore fisheries.

of the back of house politics there

Up here in Auckland the Snapper

are issues and policies that most

are on the cusp of their spring

all recreational fishing groups can

migration from their winter holds

agree on. It would be better for the

to the warmer, shallows for a good

future of our fisheries if less fish were

feed & making babies. I know Mark

ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES / Phone Richard on 09 522 7257 or email richardl@espiremedia.com

killed – simple really. Coming into an

& Carl are already seeing the effect

ADDRESS / NZ Fisher,

election it would be normal practice

of some warm weather as the Kings

for the minister of Fisheries to throw

start moving up the water column

some tid-bits to recreational fishers

& chasing squid. Grant form catch

in an effort to woo the swaying voter

Softbaits has reported some stunning

and this year we expect no less.

days on the Hauraki this month – check his reports on Fishing.net. He

My biggest gripe is that the Minister

writes a fine tale!

has failed to deliver last elections promises. Can we please have some

And finally, a big thank you to you

substance to the words Mr. Heatley?

all. NZFisher is one year old this

Where are the Amateur Only Area’s

September. We can only succeed

you dangled at the last election?

though continued readership and we

Why is a crayfish concession review

are regularly getting 5000+ reads

only on the table now – will we have

now. Our contributors go largely un-

a resolution this term? What do we

rewarded – one of the downsides of

judge the Minister on? So far he’s

writing for a new mag sorry guys! But

given away more crayfish, promoted

without them, this would be a pretty

EDITOR / Derrick Paull ART DIRECTOR / Jodi Olsson GROUP EDITOR / Trudi Caffell CONTENT ENQUIRIES / Phone Derrick on 021 629 327 or email derrickp@NZ Fisher.co.nz

C/- Espire Media, PO Box 137162, Parnell, Auckland 1151, NZ

WEBSITE / www.NZ Fisher.co.nz

This is a GREEN MAG, created and distributed without the use of paper so it's environmentally friendly.

Please think before you print. Thank you!

Cover Image: Brenton Cumberpatch with his personal Best Boat Snapper – 7.74 KG; Image: Forsyth Thompson

www.nzfisher.co.nz 3

sportFISHING A tricky weigh from a small boat - they conservative figure accepted here

Landbased from the boat – The addictions growing

By Forsyth Thompson

sportFISHING

It took us a while to get another

Excitement levels were just getting

Then the VHF went off and we could

trip sorted out for the Coromandel,

higher and higher…So Brenton and I

hear that they had a king in the berley

what with weddings, me disappearing

dropped Andrew and Saul off at their

trail…about 14kg they reckoned but

to South America for a month, and

spot and headed to ours. As we got

it turned and went on its way without

general family duties, but finally we

there we could see that there wasn’t

bothering the lives or the offered cube

got a clear weekend and for once

any swell at all, not even a hint of

baits at all.

the weather gods were on our side,

white water, and the water was clear

the forecast just getting better and

as. Viz must have been 15m+ at least.

better during the week before we were scheduled to leave.

Our lives just continued swimming completely unmolested, the first time

Getting to our spot, we were about

in ages we’d seen them go so long

to unload but seeing kahawai on the

like that. Then the VHF went off

Our previous trip saw so much swell

surface we got the soft bait gear out

again, the boys obviously having

that we couldn’t even land on the rocks,

and got ourselves some livies, so we

more excitement than we were…

this time proved to be a whole different

were unpacked and swimming 2 good

this time it was an estimated 5kg

story. So with a wagon full of gear,

live baits within about 15 mins of

trev right up in the berley trail taking

a boat on the back, and enthusiasm

dropping off the other boys.

cubes in the clear water! Andrew

to spare, we set off at 4 a.m. for our

had first go at it, but as it sped off, it

weekend trip to the very top of the

The berley trail was going a bit slowly

went so hard that the bait runner on

Coromandel, staying up at Stony Bay.

though, given the lack of swell, but

his 6500 overran and he lost it in a

I’d managed to put someone onto a PB

it didn’t take long until there were

bit of an amateur moment! Saul then

every trip we’d done in the baby Stabi

kahawai just everywhere and surely

had a shot at it, very optimistically

for a long time, and we were really keen

the kings weren’t going to be far

on 6kg. Which lasted about as long

to do it again, especially with 2 of the

behind! We got out some popper

as you’d expect with a big angry trev

crew having never got a land-based

gear, started throwing some lures

on the rocks…

king before.

around and kept on catching kahawai

Launching early morning from Sandy

for both fun and to create as much

The kahawai continued to plague us,

commotion as possible.

the water was too clear and still for

Bay, we could see there was just no

the snapper to be feeding and the

swell at all, the skies were cloudless

We stayed in touch with the other

kings still didn’t show up. I started

and there were obvious signs of bird

team via VHF and they were having

throwing a popper around and all of

and fish activity with kahawai feeding

much the same as us – schools of

a sudden 2 kings appeared on the

in the bay as we left. Last time we

kahawai everywhere, sometimes

surface and started chasing it. There

saw it like this, we saw packs of kings

seeing 3 or more boil ups around the

really is nothing like it to get the

in the clear water under the kahawai!

ledge, but still no kings showed up.

blood flowing, but they very quickly

www.nzfisher.co.nz 5

sportFISHING

turned out to be smaller fish, around

the bin for dinner. Nothing big, but

runs he told me he was only on 6kg

the 12-14kg mark and quickly stopped

nice eating fish around the 40-50cm

which made me nervous, but not as

chasing the poppers as we watched

mark and a massive relief after a day

nervous as when he started to thumb

them pick a kahawai each and chase

of kahawai only. The bite was very

the SL30 to try to stop it: cue lots of

them down for lunch! And then there

shy, but definitely we had a bite on

advice from his skipper! Somehow the

was absolutely nothing apart from

and some fish coming aboard – cue

fish stayed out of the fold and slowly

kahawai, the tide picked up and it went

lots of smiling, relief, and a couple

Brenton started to beat it, gaining

all quiet on the other end of the VHF

of cold beers. Meanwhile the boys

more than it took on each run, until I

too, so we made a call to move off for

on the ledge were struggling apart

could see colour. Holy shit, there was

a snapper fish to try to rescue the day.

from Andrew getting a legal blue

some serious colour, we didn’t have

Andrew and Saul got the ledge we’d

cod – not the PB he was after, but one

a huge net and I was worried about

wanted to fish last time but couldn’t,

nonetheless!

how I was going to get it. Brenton’s a

and Brenton and I went for Land Based

big catch and release fan so there was

in a Boat Part 2, putting the pick and

As the light started to fade, Brenton

no question of gaffing it, and then we

berley down really near where Andrew

struck into a fish with some serious

had him in the net. This was a fantastic

got his PB (see June). Being in slightly

weight to it and the Rocky just kept on

fish and clearly well over B’s previous

deeper water now it wasn’t long before

bending down as what was obviously

PB (again on the Stabi!) of 5.55kg.

we started getting bites, and finally

a very good snapper headed for

we had a snapper, then 2 and 3 in

home. As it took line in big long

6 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Once on board the celebrating

sportFISHING

started, this was a fantastic fish, and we had to get as many pictures as we could before he was going back.

With the fight on video [youtube link please] we got to the serious business of weighing it…as the boat moved and the fish moved the scales pulled round to just under 9kg and for a magic minute we thought we might even get to the magic number 20, but then as it settled, they counted One rod per fish!

down. But not very far, stopping at 7.74kg of absolutely prime spring (almost landbased!) snapper. It’s amazing how much difference just one fish makes to the day – it had gone from being pretty ordinary, to being one to remember!

Then we got down to releasing the fish which was looking pretty unhappy but was never destined for the smoker, this one was a big breeding fish and was going home. See here for the video of this magnificent capture.

Watching it swim slowly away in the crystal clear water at the end of the day was just a fantastic finish to what had been a really tough day’s fishing otherwise.

Land based out of the boat? We never

Land based out of the boat? We never plan it, but as a plan B it has produced 2 fabulous PBs for us in 2 trips: that’s a hell of a backup plan!

plan it, but as a plan B it has produced 2 fabulous PBs for us in 2 trips: that’s a hell of a backup plan! Next time, maybe Plan A will work out, you just never know…For sure it won’t be long till we’re back for another crack at it in the Coromandel. As the bar gets higher, its getting harder and harder to get a PB each time, but we’ll see what we can do! Tight lines out there guys, enjoy the spring fishing.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 7

squidFISHING

Egi & Ika: An Introduction to Modern Squid Fishing Story by Len Olyott

Images by Len Olyott and Kaspar Lenigas

Dodging and ducking are

are molluscs; biologically speaking

evolutionary processes, the shell of

essential survival tools when it comes

they are much the same as snails.

the nautilus has been replaced by the

to squid fishing. Nevertheless, sooner

So where is their shell you may ask?

cuttlebone of the cuttlefish (the white

or later you are going to taste that

Good question and the answer lies

calcareous structure you sometimes

sweet salty taste of squid ink that is as

with the close relative of squid – the

find on the beach and feed to your

much a part of the prize as delicious

paper nautilus. Nautilus look like big

pet budgerigar) and the pen/quill of

calamari and sweet chilli sauce. The

swimming snails, however they have

the squid. In octopus, it is still there

only advice I can offer is to carry a

large eyes and tentacles sticking

but as a vestigial remnant.

wet cloth and wear old clothes, and

out of the shell where you would

if you can manage it, try pointing the

expect to find a slippery foot. Squid,

New Zealand is blessed with over 119

squid away from you and don’t stand

nautilus, octopus and cuttlefish are all

reported species of cephalopods and

downwind of a loaded squid.

members of the same class of animals

most of them are poorly described.

– the Cephalopoda or head and feet

71 species of squid occur within New

Before we tackle the detail of modern

animals; so called because their feet/

Zealand waters including the giant

squid fishing, there is the need for

tentacles appear to be attached

squid. Most squid adopt a live fast/die

a brief natural history lesson. Squid

directly to their heads. Through

young approach to life and complete

8 www.nzfisher.co.nz

squidFISHING

their lifecycle within 12 to 18 months,

have found their way to Antipodean

ending it with a bang so to speak as

shores and are gathering a large

they spawn and then die.

following of converts.

Of the species of squid of interest

First, let’s get some of the jargon out of

to anglers, there are two major

the way: Egi refers to a specific design

groups: the oceanic Arrow Squid and

of squid jig which broadly resembles a

the inshore demersal squid (family

prawn shape. Egi are intended to be

Loliginidae and close relatives) –

cast and retrieved and are best suited

typically calamari or broad squid. The

to relatively shallow water.

easiest way to tell the difference is by the size of the fins – arrow squid

Egi come in a bewildering array of

have small fins and elongated mantles

colours, sizes, weights and textures –

(bodies) and the broad squid and

each with a particular action or colour

calamari have much larger fins that run

suited to particular environmental

the length of the mantle. The arrow

conditions and as can be expected

squid are also more common further

from Japanese origins, each with

south but squid appear in some really

exquisite attention to detail right

strange locations so there is no hard

down to the pupils of the eyes on the

and fast rule. Arrow squid are also

jig and the intricate finishes which

more aggressive and can and do inflict

are designed to match the hatch of a

nasty bites on careless fishers.

particular prey type.

Regardless of the species, modern

There are several manufacturers of

squid fishing in Australia and New

egi jigs including Yo-Zuri, Yamashita,

Zealand has come a long way and

Harimitsu and Jingo and it pays to

is no longer restricted to dangling

hop on the Internet to see the variety

a light stick and a jig off the end of

that are available. Recently, Aussie

a pier on a dark and windy night

softbait experts Squidgy ventured into

and hoping for the best. Using the

the world of Egi with their Squidgy

same, cloth covered, prawn shaped

G Jig which offers a soft touch to

jigs that Aussie and Kiwi fishos refer

the traditional egi hard-body. Tackle

to as yozuris but with more refined

giant Daiwa have also got into the

tackle and a dedicated approach

Egi culture and also offer an extensive

– Egi fishing or Egiing is set to

range of Egi rods and reels.

become the next big thing on both sides of the Tasman.

Your local fishing tackle store should have some egi jigs available but

Of course, this is nothing new to

it pays to seek out the shops with

Japanese and Korean fishos who have

salespeople that actually use egi

a several hundred year head start

themselves and can advise on what to

on the rest of the world but with the

buy. Modern egi range in price from

advent of the Internet and sharing

a few dollars up to $30 or more with

of fishing knowledge as well as the

old adage of you get what you pay

migration of people between different

for being never truer. You also tend

continents, new techniques and gear

to get them back easier than other

www.nzfisher.co.nz 9

squidFISHING lures when they snag as the pins on

next kahawai or kingfish that takes a

the crown of the jig will often bend

liking to a squid jig or even a hooked

allowing the jig to free itself. Make

squid won’t be the last and it pays to

sure you check your jig after you have

keep a bit of grunt in your gear to at

been snagged as the pins will need

least ensure you get your $30 jig back.

straightening and occasionally may be lost, especially if it’s an older jig

Ika is the Japanese word for squid

that has seen a lot of action. One of

with Aori-Ika the bigfin reef squid or

the differences between the cheaper

calamari (Southern Calamari in New

jigs and the more expensive is the

Zealand) most commonly encountered

obvious difference in build quality

by recreational fishers. Kensaki-Ika

with cheaper jigs simply not lasting

the pencil squid are also commonly

a season or more. If you are new to

caught, especially on the East Coast

egi, I would suggest looking for some

of Australia. Surume-Ika is a Japanese

of the middle of the range patterns

species very similar to Arrow Squid.

available and giving them a go.

These terms can come in handy when searching the Internet or even when

The actual art of working an egi

conversing with other fishos.

properly is called Syakuri and it is

Credit: Kaspar Lenigas

indeed an art-form with a wide variety

Squid have large, extremely well

of intricate retrieve types ranges from

developed eyes and are expert hunters

a gentle drop and flick to a more

both day and night. Traditionally, most

aggressive jigging motion familiar to

recreational anglers have fished for

those that chase kingfish with knife

squid after dark underneath light on

jigs. Some egi experts insert some

jetties and piers or by supplying their

fancy flicks and wiggles into their

own light source. You will still catch

retrieve. Some of these have made

squid under these conditions with

it to YouTube and a quick search on

the lights functioning to attract prey

Egi will provide you with hours of

such as prawns and small fish but it is

entertainment. The YoZuri website

sometimes challenging to get your jig

also has a fairly simple introduction

to where the squid are.

to squid fishing which should give you the basic idea.

Under these conditions, use of a paternoster rig with a sinker to match

Dedicated egi rods will set you back

the speed of the current and one

anything from a $100 to near $1,000.

or more egi jigs on branch lines can

Egi rods are typically fairly long (seven

be an effective technique. This style

feet or more) with enough action

of fishing does not however, allow

to cast light jigs and impart lifelike

the egi jigs to perform to their best

action through the retrieve. There

potential and it’s only when one really

are also dedicated egi reels and even

starts actively targeting squid that the

egi braid and leader to match. For

appeal of egi becomes apparent.

the newcomer to the world of squid s Credit: Kaspar Leniga

fishing, your existing softbait setup

Squid typically seek out rocky

will suit most conditions. Spooled

structures and well weeded areas

with 8 – 12lb braid and a size 1000 to

where they can ambush prey, hide

2000 reel, a leader of similar breaking

from predators and find safe spawning

strain will complete your setup. Squid

sites. Under the right conditions of

generally don’t run very far but the

10 www.nzfisher.co.nz

light wind and clear skies, it is possible

squidFISHING

Credit: Brent Hodges’, C/- Team Honda Marine

to polaroid squid and sight cast to

ever or alternatively, the freshest

each side and then eat. The skin,

them in the same way that you may

bait ever. The most humane way to

which we usually discard, will go

approach trout. It pays to keep moving

kill your squid is to place them in a

crispy adding a wonderful texture to

rather than flogging the same spot – if

bucket of ice and saltwater (an ice

the dish. Serve with a squeeze of lime

the squid are there, they will see your

slurry). This will quickly kill the squid

juice and maybe a cold beer and you

jig and most likely attack or sometimes

preventing the buildup up of amino

will feel like Neptune himself.

annoyingly follow the jig right back

acids which contribute to the tough

to your feet without actually taking

texture common to trawl caught squid

Modern egi fishing is an exciting

it. Squid jigs don’t have barbs so you

typically served in most restaurants.

and addictive sport. In Australia, Egi

need to strike when you feel resistance

tournaments and clubs are springing

and need to keep tension on the line.

Some fanatical Vietnamese fishermen

up as quickly as field mushrooms after

Having said that, squid are sometimes

carry charcoal braziers on their boats

a lightning storm. In New Zealand,

very lightly hooked and it pays to take

to cook their catch as soon as it

The Fishing Website has a squid

a softly, softly approach to landing

leaves the water. There are as many

jigging forum with lots of useful

your prize. A landing net is a must and

different ways of preparing squid as

advice and friendly contributors. A

very useful to avoid the dreaded ink

there are cultures and the simplest

semi-regular report is provided for

by allowing the squid to expel most

dusting of slices of squid in seasoned

Auckland by YeeHaa Fishing and most

of its ink safely in the water within the

flour and fried for no more than a

other regions are also covered. Squid

confines of the net. Another trick to

couple of minutes is hard to beat.

Fish is also a useful link for information

avoid excessive inking is to try keep the

about fishing and gear and a quick

squid on the surface of the water when

Squid on the barbeque are also

Google search will provide you with

reeling it in with its legs and funnel out

a fantastic treat and traditional

enough links about the how, when

of the water – no water means no jet

Vietnamese barbequed squid calls

and where of squid fishing. Of course,

propulsion and no ink squirting. If all

for the squid tube to be opened and

nothing beats time on the water and

of this sounds challenging, it is and the

the tentacles, head and innards to be

the more time you spend searching

only safe squid is the one in the bucket

removed. Without skinning the now

out Ika with your Egis, the more you

on the bank or boat.

flattened mantle, spread both sides

will become enraptured with this facet

with a simple paste of crushed red

of our sport. Good luck and don’t

Once you have your squid, it pays

chillies and sea-salt and then clamp

forget to duck.

to take some time looking after it

the squid in a steel fish grill. Cook

to ensure the best tasting calamari

over a high heat for a few minutes

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FISHINGspots

The Waitemata Harbour & Hauraki Gulf The count-down of my top five inshore locations: Number four Story by Derrick Paull Watchman Island Waitemata

I am an Aucklander. Apparently

Where else can you launch your boat,

its monsters, North Head sits on a the

there’s some stigma about this now

catch a feed of snapper, dive for crays

edge of a great channel that provides

days, but growing up on the North

and scallops all only 20minutes from

a pathway for masses of post spawning

Shore and spent most summer

Party Central? Auckland city folks – its

snapper to the food rich shallows

weekends in or on the waters of the

all here.

of the upper harbour and anglers a

Waitemata Harbour and the East

chance to get a hook in their mouths.

Coast Bays, I learned that Auckland

Barely a week passes between the

is the best fishing city in the country.

updates by fishers of the great fishing

Just inside the harbour on the

OK, that may be a matter of opinion

they’re experiencing at inshore

northern coast sits Devonport Wharf,

and perhaps I’m biased by the fact

locations such as the ‘Taka Cliffs’ the

the perfect platform for kids and their

that I live here, but fact is, there are

inshore reefs between Narrowneck

families to spend a lazy summers

almost unlimited opportunities to land

Beach in the south and Takapuna

afternoon catching piper, sprats,

a trophy fish or fill the bin.

Beach to the north – just a stone’s

yellowtail and even snapper. There are

throw from some of the country’s

six or seven wharves dotted around

They call Auckland the City of Sails,

most desirable real estate. Just to the

the harbour that offer access to great

but it’s really the city of boats. Kayaks

south sits North head. On summer

fisheries, especially for the kids and

now dominate the inshore waters

afternoons the cities most recognisable

some that even offer access to real

and tinnies are like a plague during

headland resembles a balding

fish like Murrays Bay wharf in the East

summer as the harbour continues to

porcupine as fishers vie for space

Coast bays where many a fisher gets

provide most with a feed.

along the foreshore. Not known for

a surprise visit from hoodlum kingfish

12 www.nzfisher.co.nz

5Year old Angus with his first ever fish, a 54cm Rangi Channel Snapper

FISHINGspots

You don’t need a big boat on the Waitemata!

chasing piper & taking a swipe at dead bait snacks just for fun. Sadly, most of these fishers are not prepared for the big one – but the results are generally hilarious!

The inner harbour provides a playground for many more species than most will believe. The shallow flats of Little Shoal Bay, Te Atatu Peninsular, Ngataringa Bay, Meola Reef and the Whitford Flats to the south are home to some very tasty flatfish or flounder as we call them – but don’t tell anyone! These fish are very fun to chase and generally easy to catch once you know where and when to hunt them.

Meola Reef is much more of a secret – despite being on display to

www.nzfisher.co.nz 13

FISHINGspots

That Waitemata is a greatly underestimated harbour that delivers far more than just a great view for those lucky enough to see it out the window every day. thousands of commuters over the Auckland Harbour Bridge every day.

The shallows are not easy to fish, but the rewards are there for quiet, sporting fishers. Many fish are pulled out of here in less than two meters of water on very light lines. Snapper fight extraordinarily well in such shallow water and provide a whole new challenge on the right tackle.

Some very keen fishers even chase flounder here on fly tackle – but that just seems too much hard work for this fisher!

A little further off shore the fishing can be breathtaking. The ‘Rangi Channel’ the water between Rangitoto Island & the North shore is known as one of the most productive strips of water in the country. At the right time its near on impossible to miss here with many a fisher heading out for a quick fish and having all the fish they need within the hour. At only 3 kilometres form You never know what you’ll catch!

14 www.nzfisher.co.nz

Forsyth’s 5kg Rangi Snapper

FISHINGspots

the Takapuna ramp, the channel is

secret spot on the rocks on Rangitoto

limit – but there are enough legal ones

accessible to over a million Auckland’s

Island itself. Snapper over 5kgs are

to attract and excite fishers through

and is very well known. The fish in the

not unheard of, but it’s the kingfish

the summer months.

channel are generally what we call

that really get anglers excited here.

‘Pannies’ but there are a few very big

The channel is lined by markers that

That Waitemata is a greatly

fish caught every year to keep fishers

act as aggregating devices for baitfish

underestimated harbour that delivers

honest. The most notable I am aware

that in turn attract good numbers of

far more than just a great view for

of is a 25lber caught by North Shore

kingfish. Most of these hoodlums are

those lucky enough to see it out the

legend, Peter Reynolds from a very

rats – that is under the 75cm legal size

window every day.

Waitemata Harbour Sunset www.nzfisher.co.nz 15

kayakFISHING Barrier at Dawn - The anticipation was tangible

Last Minute Decision…

Story and images by Jason Walker

Sitting in the office tapping away at the keyboard on a Friday morning, my mind slowly wandering off the job onto plans for Saturday morning fishing. The weather all week has slowly been getting better and better and the forecast looks good so hmm do I fish locally, head north, or join some of my mates who are fishing down at Orere Point this weekend, decisions, decisions oh what to do..?

Then snap back to reality as my phone rings, quick glance to see who it is, all that’s on the screen is “Red”. That’s Red the skipper from ‘Red Quarters’ or the Lara Star – wonder what Red wants?

“Wanna jump on the boat and head to the Barrier for the weekend Jase? I’ve

16 www.nzfisher.co.nz

kayakFISHING

got space for one more” says Red – a

buying weekend supplies and an

SharkSkin pyjamas, very warm and

bit of a last minute decision but hey

early finish from work at 4:00pm

highly recommended to all!

what the hell. So a tentative yes to Red

sees me heading over the bridge

then a quick call home to see what

throwing stuff in bags, boxes and

6:00am the alarm goes off, time

the brownie point bank credit looks

chilly bins, in the car with the yak on

to rise and find me some winter

like and turn that tentative yes into a

the roof heading back into the city

Great Barrier Snapper, oh yeah and

confirmation (thanks Jane).

and on the wharf for 5:30 on the dot!

I’m already wearing my nice warm SharkSkins. Big thanks to Red who

It’s about 10:00am Friday morning

Boat underway, time for a feed,

has as usual unloaded the boat and

and logistical reality strikes, I’m

unpack and get some gear ready

there’s my kayak sitting off the stern

sitting at work in Mt Eden, my

for the morning. All sorted it’s

of the boat. I grab my bits and pieces,

kayak and gear are sitting in my

time to call it a night, sleeping bag

don my paddle wear and I’m on the

garage about 30km north. Red is

unpacked it turns out that I grabbed

water ready to see the sun rise over

sat at the end of his usual launch

the spring/summer sleeping bag and

the island. The conditions are perfect;

spot on the end of Princes Wharf,

not the winter one damn it’s gonna

the sea is more like a mill pond, now

downtown Auckland, ready to launch

be a cold night. After 30 minutes of

to find some fish.

at 5:30pm… Several virtual packing

trying to shiver to sleep I come up

sessions run through my head, a

with a left field idea… I dig out my

I paddle less than 200m from the boat

lunchtime spent at the supermarket

SharkSkin gear and turn them into

and there is some good sign showing

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kayakFISHING

on the sounder, drop a Gulp to the

managed a feed of some description

bottom and hook up, yes as easy as

in the end. Turning in it was time to

that! A very short fight and up pops a

don the SharkSkin pyjamas again, and

nice pannie, quick photo and back it

set the alarm for a quick morning fish

goes for another day.

before heading back to Auckland.

As I said conditions were great and I

The morning came around a bit too

spent most of the morning paddling

quickly for my liking and showed that

around the broken islands flicking

the weather had started to turn for

baits along the shorelines where

the worse, still not bad conditions by

the resident Leatherjackets were

any stretch of the imagination but that

making short work of my Gulps so

wind had picked up a touch and was

I switched to the Z-Mans. I haven’t

now touching 15 knots at times but in

spent too much time using these but

the lee of the islands fishing was still

I have used them enough to ascertain

very comfortable.

that they are not favoured by the

A stunning Spring pan nie (that went back qui ckly!)

Leatherjackets so the Snappers get a

The fish of the morning for me was

look in at least. Shortly after switching

a nice healthy looking 8lb Snapper,

baits I picked up a nice 10lb specimen

again released as I had enough fish

which would provide a good feed

on the boat for family and friends.

for a few, this fish was followed by

I then ventured around the islands

many of his friends in the 4-6lb range

to the ocean side, that’s where the

which were luckier and released. I

conditions were the worst, a good

also picked up a nice fish in the 8lb

1.5m breaking swell having the tops

bracket which too was destined to

knocked off by a wind gusting up to

grace a plate back in Auckland.

20 knots, fishing in these conditions weren’t much fun (yes I did try landing

A paddle back to the boat to drop my

one small pannier) but I didn’t hang

fish into the big chiller on the boat,

around too long.

grab a feed and some fluids, then head

The perfect table fish

out again for a bit more fishing and

Back at the boat, time to load all the

again many more good sized Barrier

gear on board and head for home,

pannies, I’ve fished at the Barrier on

the ride home gives plenty of time to

trips with Red about half a dozen times

clean up my gear, have a feed, fillet

now so have fished this area over

my catch, and I even managed to have

all the seasons and I have to say the

a sleep on the way! That was one of

winter Snapper fishing at the Barrier

the best last minute decisions I’ve ever

is by far the best - I always catch more

made that’s for sure! If you want to

fish in the winter than the summer.

head out to the Barrier with Red check out RedQuarters.co.nz a very cost

Saturday night was spent relaxing

effective way to get out there!

on deck with a few beers swapping

This is what we’re here for

18 www.nzfisher.co.nz

stories with the others on the boat, a

Jason is the webmaster and founder

mixture of spearos, bottle divers, rock

of www.kayakfishingnz.com -

fishos and boaties. It seems most were

without a doubt our best kayak

struggling more than I was but all

fishing website resource.

VIDEO

Fishing Video of the Month

Halibut are not a typical kiwi sport fish (But I’m advised they are here in very small numbers in deeeep water), so this ones a bit out of the ordinary. Check out the great footage – pity it’s just an ad for a DVD rather than free online like NZFisher!

And, for the kayak fishers out there, here.s a new, very interesting new yak built specifically with fishers in mind. And it looks damned good in the rough stuff too!

www.nzfisher.co.nz 19

regionalREVIEWS

Bay of Plenty Source: Rick Pollock www.Pursuit.co.nz Kings Kings and more kings plus

I have been doing a few talks recently

I am about to get very busy on the

a few (Ed: Giant!) albies being seen.

on top water fishing and they have

water, (for the next few months I

Our last trip out was a cracker with

been well received. For those of you

think I have maybe 4 or 5 days off)

over 30 fish being landed with some

who may have got the bug and are

but even so I do expect to find

real nice fat fish amongst them. Best

keen to give it a go we still have a

some time to do some very detailed

thing for me was to see them come up

few spaces left in December but they

reports. Our first big trip for spring

from the depths covered in INK, this

are filling fast. Also if you want to

is with my crazy French twin Etienne

means the squid are there and kings

learn more you could pick up some

Piquel form New Caledonia which

on squid are mad.

of the recent Bay Fisher magazines

will be loads of fun. Etienne is the

which include some very detailed

New Caledonia fishing guide for

We also entered the Top Catch jigging

articles I have written on top water

Ocean Blue, and will be known to

comp a few weeks back and even

fishing and also issue 85 of the Blue

some of you who have been lucky

though the fishing was very hard for

water magazine featured an in depth

enough to go over there to chase

most we still managed to park above a

article on top water fishing and the

the Big GT’s. I am excited to be

nice patch of fish and do ok. I got the

gear involved. (The cover shot for this

showing our New Zealand Kingies

fourth longest released fish and the

issue was one of my photos and it

off to Etienne, and it will be great to

other boat we teamed up with got the

was great to see a NZ Kingfish on the

learn some of his tricks for landing

3rd heaviest and the heaviest overall

cover of one of Australia’s Premier

the GT’s and put our brains together

for day one.

fishing magazines)

to invent some new kingfish tactics.

Coromandel Source: Carl Muir www.EpicAdventures.co.nz Carls been a bit busy this month –

Taranaki – West Coast The AMF Team

check out these outstanding fish caught just a few days ago! For our

Fish here is a non event

its only Spiky’s and Cutta in

international readers, this is the sort of

again now the weather has

close at the moment – but at

trip our local skippers like Carl can

packed it in again.

least they pull some line!

A few boats that made it out

Some good crays have been

before this latest weather

taken in close, there are

system came through caught

a lot of female with eggs

good fish in 80m plus depth.

however…but you can’t win

The fish are definitely there

them all!

make a reality for you.

and they’re hungry – it’s just

20 www.nzfisher.co.nz

a matter of getting to them.

Whitebaiters have been

Unfortunately due to weather,

waiting for the rain, so it may

most of us are landlocked or

happen now in a big way and

fishing in very close and sadly

keep the locals happy.

regionalREVIEWS

Hauraki

Spring has pumped up the

out for their fishing fix. The calmer

catching not necessarily so. Small soft

volume right on cue. Some snapper

days seem to be mid-week, may I

baits have been the key to success

are already in roe, and so are john

suggest having a mental health day

out in the gulf, the bigger snapper

dory, gurnard and kingfish! Confusion

or two, a good idea at this time of

have had quite empty stomachs apart

abounds as the water temperature

year as it could be weeks before fine

from small grubs and small shellfish…

is still more like a salt-water slurry,

fishing weather lands on the weekend.

dragging a smaller soft plastic along

12-13c on a good day i.e. only just

the bottom well behind the boat has

starting the upward spiral for summer.

The outer gulf is alive with activity

led to success even on the ‘quiet’

Yet all around the Hauraki Gulf the

most days, somewhere. The middle

days. The snapper’s winter condition

signs of spring have been turned

gulf is still relatively quiet though

is superb, their winter bulk making

on. A dozen or more Brydes whales,

waiting for the big turnaround only

smoked snapper absolutely delicious!

2 pods of orca, baby dolphins, big

recently initiated.

brown jellyfish and yellow pollen on

The weather patterns accelerate at

the surface close to land…spring has

When the current is medium to

will so the forecast can be a day or

definitely sprung.

strong the fishing has been very

two out right now, so preparation

good, not so on low tidal flow days,

and flexibility is key if you want to hit

Between gale force winds only

which unfortunately have coincided

the outer gulf, some big snapper are

periodic calmer times have allowed

with the sunny windless days making

lurking there just waiting for you to

the prepared to down tools and head

conditions picture perfect, but the fish

spring into action.

www.nzfisher.co.nz 21

NEXTmonth

f sher

In the next issue of NZ Fisher…

•

Spring Kings make the most of their new season hunger

•

Coromandel; Number three on the top 5 count down

•

Piper: More than just great bait

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